In most doorways in most homes in most places around the world you’ll find one thing: a door, a knob and some hinges. In fact, when you mention the word “door,” that’s exactly what comes to mind for most people. Sliding doors, a quite different alternative to a traditional hinge door, are becoming more and more common around homes, however. In fact, while sliding doors used to be found only at doorways to backyards or porches, they can now be used in just about every room of the house. So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of sliding doors?
Space-saving Design
A normal hinge door requires a great deal of clear floor space to swing open and shut. Sliding doors eliminate this need by taking up minimal space whether they’re open, closed or in transition. For small spaces such as bathrooms or closets, this can prove to be a substantial benefit, especially when the floor is crowded or dirty.
New Possibilities for Materials
Modern sliding glass doors usually utilize stylish glass panes, large or small, to create interesting and attractive designs for the door. With a traditional swinging hinge door, using glass panes is certainly possible, but can also present some problems when it comes to slamming doors that can rattle, loosen or even shatter the panes. Ultimately, if glass is your style, the choice between swinging and sliding doors comes down to how heavily and carefully you plan on using the door.
The Bottom Line
For most interior design or remodel jobs, budget is the bottom line. Unfortunately, there’s not a clear winner between sliding or hinge doors when it comes to cost. Each can be found at relatively inexpensive prices and can range up to thousands of dollars. Ultimately, for either type of door, you get what you pay for. Look for a quality door manufacturer who specializes in the styles and materials you’re looking for before settling for a low quality door that wins you over on price alone.
The Sliding Door Company doesn’t just specialize in sliding doors. They also carry a wide line of custom-built swinging doors, barn doors, room dividers and more. Check out their website at http://www.slidingdoorco.com to see how they’re transforming rooms every day.
